Regional chairs to be directly elected
The chairs of regional councils, in places such as Peel, York, and Niagara, will be directly elected in 2018.

TheStar.com
Nov. 16, 2016
Robert Benzie and San Grewal

Democracy is coming to regional government in Ontario.

The chairs of regional councils, in places such as Peel, York, and Niagara, will be directly elected in 2018 under new legislation introduced at Queen’s Park on Wednesday.

Municipal Affairs Minister Bill Mauro said the change will “help strengthen local governments and enhance their ability to serve the residents of their communities.”

While the regional chairs of Durham, Halton, and Waterloo are already elected by voters, those at the helm of Peel, York, Niagara and Muskoka are appointed by local councillors.

That has led to controversy in the past.

In Peel Region two years ago, regional chair Frank Dale cast the tie-breaking vote for himself over rival John Sanderson to win a job that came with a salary of $184,898.

The mayors of the second and third largest cities in the Greater Toronto Area, Mississauga and Brampton, respectively, were divided on Wednesday’s changes.

Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie blasted the new law, saying it was neither wanted nor needed.

“This is a solution to a problem we do not have,” said Crombie, questioning the expense of the new system.

“We need to know whether or not there will be increased costs to taxpayers to administer the election process for a directly elected regional chair and how much staffing and administrative costs will increase to support someone representing well over 1 million people at Peel council,” she said, suggesting the new law may affect Mississauga’s decision to remain in Peel.

But Brampton Mayor Linda Jeffrey welcomed the legislation.

“The Region of Peel currently chooses our chair through a flawed and undemocratic process,” said Jeffrey, noting for years she has been calling for an “open and democratic vote for our chair in the same way we elect other political representatives.”

York Region Chair Wayne Emmerson, an appointee, said he is ready to put his name on a ballot in 2018.

“It is my intention to run for regional chair in the next municipal election if the legislation passes,” said Emmerson.

The only exception to the new law will be Oxford County. That’s because, unlike other regional municipalities, its head is chosen by elected councillors from their own ranks, so there is no separate seat that could be directly elected.

As part of Wednesday’s legislative changes, the government will incorporate Liberal MPP Daiene Vernile’s private member’s bill that would mean municipal councillors who give birth or adopt a child will no longer need council’s approval for parental leave.

Under the existing law, councillors who miss meetings for three months can lose their seats unless they seek permission for time off from their colleagues.

“I’m pleased to be working to help more parents, and especially women, get involved in politics,” said Vernile (Kitchener-Centre).

“Accommodating parents at the local level sends a strong message that municipal politics can be family-friendly.”

Also in the new legislation will be a requirement for all municipalities to have a code of conduct for council members and local boards.